Family's car hit on tollway, killing boy in back

November 15, 2002

A 10-year-old Wisconsin boy was killed Wednesday night when his family's car was hit from behind in Deerfield on the Tri-State Tollway, where the boy's parents had pulled the car over because he was ill.

Asad Ali of Glendale, was in the back seat when the car was struck.

His parents had parked about a mile south of Half Day Road to check on him, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Emmit Clifton.

Asad's parents had gotten out of the car to help him when their 1994 Mercedes sedan was rammed by a 1987 Plymouth Reliant.

Asad was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he was pronounced dead. His 6-year-old sister, who was also in the back seat, was not injured.

The driver of the Plymouth, Joseph A. Rodrick, 41, of the 3200 block of Gabriel Avenue, Zion, received an improper lane usage ticket, police said.

He was in fair condition Thursday, a Lutheran General spokeswoman said.

State police on Thursday were awaiting blood test results to determine whether Rodrick was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.

Investigators were also reconstructing the accident to determine how fast the Plymouth was traveling. Rodrick apparently did not attempt to slow down, police said.

"There weren't any skid marks, so this guy never hit his brakes," Clifton said.